Peter Obi slams Tinubu Government for Releasing Rivers Allocation to Sole Administrator

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the administration of President Bola Tinubu for releasing Rivers State’s withheld allocation to the newly appointed Sole Administrator, despite a standing Supreme Court ruling.

On February 28, the Supreme Court had barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from disbursing funds to the Rivers State Government due to what it described as “flagrant disobedience to court orders.”

However, last Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months. He subsequently appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.

By Friday, Ibas confirmed in Port Harcourt that the previously withheld allocations had been released.

Reacting to the development in a statement on Monday, Obi expressed strong disapproval, stating that the move directly undermined the authority of the Supreme Court.

“The decision to release statutory allocations to an appointed Sole Administrator, despite a standing order of the Supreme Court, is not just unlawful — it is a direct challenge to the authority of the highest court of our country,” Obi said.

He further emphasized that the Supreme Court had explicitly prohibited the release of the funds until a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly passed a valid Appropriation Act.

“Yet, we see a situation where this order is being ignored. This raises serious moral concerns and questions about what is happening in Rivers State,” Obi added.

He warned that disregarding judicial rulings sets a dangerous precedent, urging the CBN and the Accountant General of the Federation to uphold the law instead of contributing to its violation.

“This is about more than just Rivers State; it is about protecting the very fabric of our democracy and our existence as a nation,” Obi stated.

He further cautioned that a country cannot function where the rule of law is ignored, separation of powers is disregarded, and judicial decisions are treated as mere suggestions.

“If we continue this way, we are undermining the future of our democracy. We must choose to do the right thing — to respect the law and uphold the principles that bind us as a nation,” he concluded.